This camera was the pinnacle of Soviet camera design with the m42 lens mount. It was originally called the MT1. It has a match needle stopped down metering system and an electronically timed shutter.

The shutter is a metal fan type vertically traveling shutter.

This camera will not operate without two PX625 or equivalent batteries, the databack uses 3 more 625 batteries.

This camera is fully finished in black with a rubber fabric. Zenit is painted in white on the prism and 19 is painted in white on the right top front. The shoulder strap lugs are on the front and the flash receptacle is on the upper left front. On the lower right is the self timer and release and the depth of field preview which serves as the meter on switch also. On the top left deck is the rewind crank and a red battery test button. There is a hot shoe on the prism. The right deck has the film advance lever, a blue rewind button, a locking shutter release button with cable release connection and the shutter speed dial.